Housing Benefit Appeals Officer – AR

Job Details

Job Title

Temporary Housing Benefit Appeals Officer (Specified / Exempt Accommodation)
Grade: PO2 (or equivalent)
Contract: Temporary – up to 3 months

Job Purpose

To provide short-term specialist support to review, prepare, and progress Housing Benefit appeal cases relating to Specified and Exempt Accommodation. The postholder will ensure appeal submissions are legally robust, procedurally compliant, and ready for submission to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber).

The role is focused on clearing a defined backlog of appeals through case triage, structured legal preparation, and coordination with Legal Services, using a consistent and efficient “test case” approach where appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

1. Appeals Case Management

  • Manage a defined caseload of Housing Benefit appeals relating to Specified and Exempt Accommodation.
  • Review appeal cases to determine whether:
    • Revision or supersession is appropriate, or
    • The case should proceed to Tribunal.
  • Prioritise cases based on risk, age, complexity, and strategic importance.

2. Tribunal Case Preparation

  • Prepare Tribunal-ready documentation including:
    • Statements of Case / written submissions
    • Chronologies and issue summaries
    • Evidence schedules
    • Indexed and paginated appeal bundles
  • Ensure all submissions meet Tribunal procedural requirements and statutory deadlines.
  • Apply a consistent approach to groups of similar cases using test case methodology where appropriate.

3. Legal Analysis and Decision Review

  • Apply Housing Benefit Regulations, DWP guidance, and relevant Upper Tribunal case law.
  • Assess key issues including:
    • Specified Accommodation status
    • Care, support, or supervision requirements
    • Eligible rent and service charge decisions
    • Liability, contrivance, and commerciality considerations
  • Ensure decisions and submissions are legally sound, defensible, and clearly evidenced.

4. Stakeholder Coordination

  • Liaise with:
    • Legal Services (for case strategy and consistency)
    • Housing Benefit processing teams
    • Quality Assurance teams
    • Housing providers, landlords, and support organisations (where required)
  • Ensure clear communication and alignment on case approach and legal position.

5. Case Recording and Compliance

  • Maintain accurate and complete records on relevant systems (e.g., Civica D360 or equivalent).
  • Ensure compliance with information governance, audit requirements, and internal procedures.
  • Identify recurring issues or learning points and escalate appropriately.

6. Backlog Reduction and Service Support

  • Support the structured reduction of a backlog of appeals.
  • Work efficiently to deliver high-volume, high-quality case preparation within tight timescales.
  • Contribute to consistency and standardisation across similar appeal cases.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience in Housing Benefit administration.
  • Strong experience in appeals, disputes, or review work.
  • Proven ability to prepare First-tier Tribunal submissions and bundles.
  • Strong understanding of Specified / Exempt Accommodation rules and case law.
  • Ability to interpret complex legislation and apply it to case decisions.
  • Excellent written communication skills with attention to legal clarity and structure.
  • Ability to manage a high-volume caseload and meet strict deadlines.

Desirable

  • Experience representing cases at First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber).
  • Experience working with supported housing providers, CICs, or charities.
  • Knowledge of test case strategy or grouped appeal management.
  • Experience dealing with contrivance, commerciality, and asset lock issues.

Key Competencies

  • Analytical and legal reasoning skills
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Ability to work independently and at pace
  • Sound professional judgement
  • Ability to produce clear, structured written submissions
  • Strong organisational and workload management skills

Role Duration

This is a fixed-term temporary role (up to 3 months) and will end once the identified Housing Benefit Specified Accommodation appeals have been prepared and submitted to the Tribunal Service.